One-Year Bar
Please note: the following information is meant to be used only by Florida State
University faculty, staff, students, and potential visitors to Florida State University
and only in the context of international visits to FSU specifically. It is not intended
to be used and should not be construed as general legal advice.
Under Federal regulations for the J, Exchange Visitor, program, a visitor coming in the
Research Scholar or Professor category may not have been in the U.S. in J status for all
or part of the previous 12 month period unless the total stay was shorter than 6 months.
This rule also applies to those who have previously been J-1 students or J-2 dependents.
So, for example, a J-1 student finishing up Academic Training may not continue their research
as a J-1 research scholar. This rule prevents a visitor from indefinitely extending their
stay by applying for new categories and prevents professional couples from switching places
as the primary J-1 in order to continue their stay and their employment.
The regulation can be found at
22 CFR Part 62.20 (d)(ii)